Exercise seen as being in response to China’s aggressive maritime behavior

TOKYO—Japan and the Philippines conducted Tuesday a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea, in the latest attempt by the two countries to build closer security ties to respond to China’s aggressive maritime behavior.

Japan sent two destroyers on their way home from an antipiracy mission in the Middle East to participate in the drill, according to a spokesman for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The exercise took place in “the waters west of Manila,” Japan said, without disclosing the exact location.